Glendale boys' water polo starts fast, survives late

Playing a ranked team on the road, the members of the Glendale High boys' water polo team looked to get off to a quick start.

The Nitros accomplished that feat before holding on for a 12-11 nonleague win against Los Altos on Friday.

Glendale, ranked No. 1 in the latest CIF Southern Section Division V poll, received a team-high six goals from Arman Momdzhyan, including the winner with about two minutes left in the fourth quarter to help the Nitros improve to 16-6. Artak Arzumanyan and Manuk Piloyan added three goals apiece for the Nitros, who built a 5-1 lead after the first quarter against a Los Altos squad that's sixth in the division.

"We knew coming in that Los Altos was a very good team," said Glendale Coach Forest Holbrook, who guided the Nitros to an appearance in the Division V title match last season. "We had to get off to a real quick start, especially being on the road.

"It turned out that the fast start saved us because it then became a back-and-forth game in the second half. It was important to get that early cushion."

Glendale held an 8-4 halftime advantage.

Momdzhyan scored the match-clinching goal to give the Nitros a 12-10 lead. Los Altos scored a minute later to complete the scoring.

"Los Altos tried to make a comeback and we held them off," Holbrook said. "We've played a high level of water polo the last three months or so.

"We were No. 1 last year for the majority of the season, so many of the returning players know what to expect every game. These are the kind of matches that get you ready for the playoffs. This is a good win and we'll just try to ride the momentum."

Glendale will next participate in the Pacific League Tournament, beginning with a semifinal match against Burbank at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Burbank High. The Nitros have won two straight undefeated league championships in a row.

Playing a ranked team on the road, the members of the Glendale High boys' water polo team looked to get off to a quick start.

The Nitros accomplished that feat before holding on for a 12-11 nonleague win against Los Altos on Friday.

Glendale, ranked No. 1 in the latest CIF Southern Section Division V poll, received a team-high six goals from Arman Momdzhyan, including the winner with about two minutes left in the fourth quarter to help the Nitros improve to 16-6. Artak Arzumanyan and Manuk Piloyan added three goals apiece for the Nitros, who built a 5-1 lead after the first quarter against a Los Altos squad that's sixth in the division.

"We knew coming in that Los Altos was a very good team," said Glendale Coach Forest Holbrook, who guided the Nitros to an appearance in the Division V title match last season. "We had to get off to a real quick start, especially being on the road.

"It turned out that the fast start saved us because it then became a back-and-forth game in the second half. It was important to get that early cushion."

Glendale held an 8-4 halftime advantage.

Momdzhyan scored the match-clinching goal to give the Nitros a 12-10 lead. Los Altos scored a minute later to complete the scoring.

"Los Altos tried to make a comeback and we held them off," Holbrook said. "We've played a high level of water polo the last three months or so.

"We were No. 1 last year for the majority of the season, so many of the returning players know what to expect every game. These are the kind of matches that get you ready for the playoffs. This is a good win, and we'll just try to ride the momentum."

Glendale will next participate in the Pacific League Tournament, beginning with a semifinal match against Burbank at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Burbank. The Nitros have won two straight undefeated league championships in a row.